Just recently I completed my second deer mount. While not perfect by any means, it's alot better than my first deer!
I'm not too happy about the ears. I used bondo, which didn't work very well, so the ears are a little goofy looking. The eyes look a little too bulgy to me, too (I had this same problem with my last deer, due to using too much clay), but this time I was sure to use a very LITTLE amount of clay, so I don't know what the problem was..
But anyway, I've got three pictures and you can see them by going to these addresses. Please let me know what you think, and tell me what mistakes I made. I WANT to be critiqued so that I'll know what not to do next time.
http://www.homestead.com/nedritchie/files/BUCK.jpg
http://www.homestead.com/nedritchie/files/BUCK2.jpg
http://www.homestead.com/nedritchie/files/BUCK3.jpg
Thanks,
Amy Ritchie
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First of all Amy this is a very good mount especially since it is only your second deer. You are going to go far in this profession.
Okay, one thing I noticed right of the back was the position of your earbutts. They are too far on the back of the head. You need to bring them up closer to the antler. Also the earbutt muscle details are a little weak. A deers earbutt has three major muscles. Look at some of your reference photos. Try to emphasize this a little more on your mount. Earbutts are one of the hardest thing to achieve correctly so don't be upset. This will take some time to learn. Earshape seems to be pretty good. The only other thing that stood out to me was the shape of your eye. A deers eye is more shaped like an egg so to speak. It is more open in the front and more tappered in the back. The eyelid thickness depends on how old the deer is. Older buck tend to have heavier eyelids than younger deer. The crease of the eyelid will follow the eye orbit but the eyelid itself will not. It is a little straighter than the orbit. I am sorry if I confuse you, this is hard to explain in writing. Wish I could have you in my shop and show you hands on. Go and study your reference photos a little more. You are on the right track , just needs a little adjustment. Do not put any clay at the back of the eye. Deer can see out the front and out the back. Therefore there is nothing in these places (like heavy muscles or tissue) to obstruct there view. Other than that I think your deer looks real good. Congratulation kiddo.
I know of dozens who visit this site who'd have never put their work our there to be hammered. I wish my first deer had looked that good. Evelyn gave you a great critique. I think most of your ear problems will go away when you start depending on quality earliners. The ears opened a little "oval" instead of the "spearpoint" we look for. I'd suggest (like I do such hot work myself, lol) that you get both and eye cast and a nose cast for up close reference. I also like to make that chin whisker stick more vertically instead of being aerodynamic, but that's also just me.
You got a lota brass kid and at your age, your talent has yet to be tasked. When you come to the NTA, you bring that same camera and take photos of the guys who do the really spectacular work. Evelyn is supposed to have a few pieces there as well and you'll have her to give you some pointers. She's an AofE winner and can do more than just TALK about good work.
About the ear butts, Evelyn. The ears are definately the bad point of this whole mount. And it all could have been avoided if I had only used earliners! ): The only thing that turned out BETTER on my FIRST deer was the ears, because I used earliners w/ear butts.
I know what you mean about the eye shape, too. I just couldn't seem to achieve the right shape! Now the clay is dry and I'm afraid to rehydrate it and try again, so I think it will just be one of those things to remind me to do better on the next one..
I don't mind having my work be "hammered", George. I know my mounts have lots of flaws, and I like people to point them out. I posted pictures of my first deer when I finished her, and I got alot of good tips from the comments people posted.
Amy
Amy, I have no great advice for you but I do agree with what has already been said.
As for going back and trying to "fix" what you find wrong with your mount is up to you. My first few mounts turned out so-so (I'm overly critical of my own work) and to this day wouldn't have the nerve to post a pic of that deformed "bambi" on this forum! That "road kill" looking deer hangs on the wall (high up) over one of my work benches. It's a good reminder of how far I've come and also a good laugh when I need one! Rough looking as it is I couldn't or wouldn't get rid of it for anything!
You are definetly on the right path! The eye and nose cast are a good recommendation. But if the eyes really trouble you. You may want to consider purchasing a "quick set" eye tool from one of the supply companies. The tool will help aid you in proper shaping and after a while you'll be doing it with the tool. Forget the bondo, and remember ear buts are a pain in the butt!
Great job, and keep us up to date on your upcoming projects!
Ed
Nice job young lady, I wish I had started at your age. I have seen your web site, I like that to. Keep your eyes on your reference. I have been told this over and over and I can't tell you how true it is.
Gutttts girl gutttttsssss, it takes guts to do what you did! More power to you.
I see people that are full time taxidermist doing much worse quality than you do.
Everybody is guiding you right.
I would not try to fix the problems on the deer, just use them as what to do better reference.
A few things that may help you is ear butt cast and eye cast. Research Mannikins has some good ones that show you how the clay should be sculpted.
Get some good closeup photos and look at live deer, find some in your area that are gentle enough to handle and feel how the muscles work.
If you will e-mail me I will tell you one way to collect references that may help in the future.
There is a lot of referernce tools offered by many of the supply companies, order just one each time you order supplies. Again very good for just your second deer.
Nice job Amy, All of us started with mistakes on our mounts while learning. By having taxidermists critique your mounts and not the customer, you will learn a lot faster and your quality will improve with each mount. There are many quality taxidermists here on the forum willing to give out very good advise to help everybody get better. Keep it up.
Amy,
Micro-tan.com has some great reference pics of deer ears. check them out if you haven't already. Keep it up kid. You've got the fire burning within.
I congratulate you on your mount, I've been doing taxidermy for
about a year and half now,and will be going to my first IGT convention.I think you have a good start,just continue to learn,set your goals high,heck I plan on being the world champion.Good luck in the future!
I congratulate you on your mount, I've been doing taxidermy for
about a year and half now,and will be going to my first IGT convention.I think you have a good start,just continue to learn,set your goals high,heck I plan on being the world champion.Good luck in the future!